"The theory of inter-allelic complementation"

Date:
1963
Reference:
PP/CRI/H/2/42/1
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: "The theory of inter-allelic complementation". Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    i 1 1 S,ILeon, o f £*ïbr- ¿.UeKc l+^) ¿e n^pUi^ K^ |IVK It is now almost certain that the genetic phenomenon of vvvVíy - aUÍ/UC / complementation is due to the interaction of protein sub-units; a partially functional aggregate is produced from two distinct types of subunits neither of which can, by itself, give rise to 'any appreciable enzyme activity. An adequate theory must show why complementation maps are approximately one-dimensional and why in ^ cas e s 1 they are not strictly co-linear with the corresponding genetic maps. We are aware of only one publication concerned with this problem, a theoretical model for compie- ¡ML mentation in the enzyme adenylosuccinic synthetase^ We present here a sketch of a different general theory of complementation (previously circulated privately^ , X^fe-rí ^ The first explanation of complementation that suggests itself iy that the defects in two subunits mutually correct each other. Thus a defect, A, in one monomer might, after aggregation lie next to a complementary defect, B, in the other so that, although the combinations (A+A) and (B+B) both prevent the enzyme from working, in the combination (A+B) the two defects compensate for each other and active enzyme is formed. This may Footnote A similar phenomenon, specific suppression within (k¿UL.,lu )■ k^ífc^/^sj a single peptide chain has been reported^ BÄfc»- - - - ' - - -